Torsion Testing and Direct Shear Testing

Lab Background
In this lab we will be performing torsion tests and direct shear tests. Several material properties can be
found by performing these tests. Some of these properties are similar to properties found from a
tension test.
Lab Procedure
Torsion Testing
Since the torsion tests take a while to perform, your group will perform a torsion test with the help of
other groups. The steps you should follow in the lab are given below.
1) Place punch marks on the A36 steel test bar 12 inches apart. Make sure the punch marks are
close to being in line with one another.
2) Mount the troptometer on your specimen and place a steel scale on the troptometer to use for
your arc length measurements.
3) Load the test bar in the torsion testing machine as instructed by the GTA or TA.
4) Measure the diameter of the A36 steel bar and record it on your data sheet.
5) Measure the troptometer radius. Be sure this measurement is from the center of the A36 bar to
the end of the troptometer where you take the readings.
6) Apply a torsion load to the bar using the testing machine.
7) Record the arc length at every 100 in-lb increment of torque for torque values from 0 to 1000
in-lb.
8) After the torque exceeds 1000 in-lb, take readings at every 0.1 in increment of arc length. Take
readings until the torque has clearly reached a constant value.
9) Once the torque has reached a constant value, remove the troptometer.
10) Continue to twist the bar until fracture occurs and record the maximum torque.
Direct Shear
We will perform a direct shear test as an entire section while waiting for the torsion specimens to
fracture. The following steps should be completed for the direct shear test.
1) Measure the diameter of the A36 steel bar.
2) Load the specimen in the shear testing fixture.
3) Apply load to the specimen using a cross-head speed of 0.1 in/min.
4) When the computer stops the test, record the load at the 0.2% offset yield point and the
maximum load.
Lab Report
The lab report for this experiment should be a memo worth 100 points written by your group. Dont
forget to attach your groups initialed data sheet to your report. A description of what should be
included in two sections of your report is given on the back of this page.

Experimental Results:
In the experimental results section you should include or refer to a table showing your
experimental data. Next, for the torsion testing data find the angles of twist based on the arc
lengths measured in the lab using Eq. (1). You will then need to create a torque vs. angle of
twist diagram using your data. Based on your data and plot, determine the fully plastic torque
(TFP) and then calculate the maximum elastic torque (TE) using Eq. (3). From your plot, use
linear regression to find the slope of the linear elastic portion of the curve. Remember that the
linear elastic portion stops once the maximum elastic torque (TE) has been reached. Next, using
your linear regression slope, calculate the modulus of rigidity (G) using Eq. (2). Then,
calculate the shearing yield strength (Ssy) using Eq. (4). Finally, calculate the ultimate shearing
strength (Sus) using Eq. (5).
From your direct shear data you will need to find the shearing yield strength of the A36 steel
bar using Eq. (6). Then find the ultimate shearing strength of the bar using Eq. (7).
Discussion of Results:
In this section I would like for you to discuss how well your torsion test data points fit the
linear regression line. Mention if any points seem out of place and give possible reasons for
any major variation. Compare your experimental values for shearing yield strength and
ultimate shearing strength between the torsion test and the direct shear test using percent
differences as shown in Eq. (8). Finally, look up a reference value for modulus of rigidity and
compare your calculated value to the reference value using percent error.
Presentation
Each group will write the following values on the board:
TE (in-lb)
TFP (in-lb)
S sy (ksi)
S sy (ksi)
Torsion
Direct Shear
Two groups will then be selected to answer questions about the lab.

Experimental G
(ksi)

Equations
(1) Angle of Twist:
s

rtrop
= angle of twist, rad

s = arc length, in
rtrop= troptometer radius, in

(4) Shearing Yield Strength:

(Torsion Test)
S sy

TE c
J

(2) Modulus of Rigidity:

T L
G

J
G= modulus of rigidity, psi
T
= regression slope, in-lb/rad

L= length, in
J= polar moment of inertia, in4

J d 4 c 4 (circular)
32
2
(5) Ult. Shear Strength:
(Torsion Test)
Sus

Tmax c
J

S sy = shearing yield point, psi Sus = ult. shear strength, psi

TE= maximum elastic torque, Tmax = max. torque, in-lb
in-lb
c = radius, in
c = radius, in
J = polar moment of inertia, in4
J = polar moment of inertia,
in4
(7) Ult. Shearing Strength:
(Direct Shear Test)
V
Vmax
Sus max
A
2
2 4 d


Sus = ultimate shearing
strength, psi
Vmax = max. load, lb
A = cross-sectional area, in2
d = diameter, in

(8) Percent Difference

Exp1 Exp 2
100 %
Exp1 Exp 2

Exp1= first experimental value

Exp2= second experimental value
% Diff.=

(3) Max. Elastic Torque:

3
TE TFP
4
TE = maximum elastic
torque, in-lb
TFP= fully plastic torque,
in-lb

(6) Shearing Yield Strength:

(Direct Shear Test)
V
Vy
S sy y
A 2
2 4 d


Ssy = shearing yield strength, psi
Vy = load at yield point, lb
A = cross-sectional area, in2
d = diameter, in